Rostam the Matchless Hero, champion of Iran, mounted his mighty steed Rakhsh and, gripping the bull-headed mace of his ancestor Sam, rode forth like a moving mountain toward the encampment of Prince Esfandiyar. As he approached, the soldiers of the royal host marvelled at his imposing figure, whispering among themselves that this formidable warrior was the living image of Sam the Knight, and that his horse Rakhsh possessed a presence as awesome as Ahriman himself. The troops lamented the folly of King Goshtasp, who out of greed for his crown had sent a radiant prince like Esfandiyar to face such an unstoppable force.
Upon Rostam's arrival near the prince's pavilions, Esfandiyar stepped forward to greet him. Rostam voiced his gentle reproach that the prince had not journeyed out to meet his guest as promised, bidding the youth not to let rash pride blind him against the wisdom of elders. Rostam proclaimed his heroic lineage and glorious deeds: how he crushed the White Demon, thwarted the sorcerers of Mazandaran, snatched Kamus of Kashan and the Khaqan of Chin from their saddles with his lasso, and stood as the ultimate shield for the thrones of both Iran and Turan. He urged Esfandiyar not to allow destiny to destroy a prince of such promise at his hands.
Esfandiyar laughed off the reproach, offering the heat of the day and the long journey as his excuse, and invited Rostam to sit and raise the wine goblet. However, he gestured for Rostam to sit upon his left hand. The veteran champion took deep offense at this perceived slight, declaring that his place was not on the left, but on the right, as befitted the heir of Sam and the savior of the realm. Seeing the lion-hearted hero's rising wrath, Esfandiyar commanded a golden throne to be placed before the dais on his right. Rostam then took his seat upon the golden throne, holding a fragrant citron in hand, his heart still heavy with anger as the epic confrontation unfolded.
#1
نشست از بر رخش چون پیل مست
✦
یکی گُرزهٔ گاو پیکر به دست
“He sat atop Rakhsh like a furious elephant, holding a bull-headed mace in his hand.”
#2
بیامد دمان تا به نزدیک آب
✦
سپه را به دیدار او بد شتاب
“He came charging until he reached near the water, while the army rushed in eagerness to catch a glimpse of him.”
#3
هرانکس که از لشکر او را بدید
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دلش مهر و پیوند او برگزید
“Whosoever in the army beheld his form felt their heart filled with love and affection for him.”
#4
همی گفت هرکس که این نامدار
✦
نماند به کس جز به سام سوار
“Everyone marveled, saying: 'This famous hero resembles none other than Sam the Knight.'”
#5
برین کوههٔ زین که آهنست
✦
همان رخش گویی که آهرمنست
“'Upon this iron saddle-tree he sits, and his horse Rakhsh seems formidable as Ahriman!'”
#6
اگر هم نبردش بود ژنده پیل
✦
برافشاند از تارک پیل نیل
“'If his opponent were even a colossal elephant, he would hurl blue dust from its crown!'”
#7
کسی مرد ازین سان به گیتی ندید
✦
نه از نامداران پیشین شنید
“'No man like this has anyone ever seen in the world, nor heard of among the warriors of old.'”
#8
خرد نیست اندر سر شهریار
✦
که جوید ازین نامور کارزار
“'Wisdom resides not in the King's head, seeking battle with such a renowned champion!'”
#9
برین سان همی از پی تاج و گاه
✦
به کشتن دهد نامداری چو ماه
“'Thus, for the sake of the crown and throne, he sends a prince bright as the moon to his death.'”
#10
به پیری سوی گنج یازان ترست
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به مهر و به دیهیم نازان ترست
“'In his old age, he clings more greedily to treasure, glorying more in royal charm and crown.'”
#11
همی آمد از دور رستم چو شیر
✦
به زیر اندرون اژدهای دلیر
“From afar Rostam approached like a lion, riding atop his courageous dragon-like steed.”
#12
چو آمد به نزدیک اسفندیار
✦
هم‌انگه پذیره شدش نامدار
“When he drew near to Esfandiyar, the famous prince immediately advanced to welcome him.”
#13
بدو گفت رستم که ای پهلوان
✦
نوآیین و نوساز و فرخ جوان
“Rostam said to him: 'O Champion, noble and fortunate youth of newfound glory!'”
#14
خرامی نیرزید مهمان تو
✦
چنین بود تا بود پیمان تو
“'Did thy guest not deserve a journey to greet him? Was this the measure of thy pledge?'”
#15
سخن هرچ گویم همه یاد گیر
✦
مشو تیز با پیر بر خیره خیر
“'Take heed of every word I utter; do not rashly grow fierce toward an elder without cause!'”
#16
همی خویشتن را بزرگ آیدت
✦
وزین نامداران سترگ آیدت
“'Thou holdest thyself in high conceit, exalting thyself above these mighty heroes.'”
#17
همانا به مردی سبک داریم
✦
به رای و به دانش تنک داریم
“'Perchance thou holdest my valor cheap, and deemest my wisdom and judgment shallow.'”
#18
به گیتی چنان دان که رستم منم
✦
فروزندهٔ تخم نیرم منم
“'Know that in this world I am Rostam, the illuminator of the lineage of Nayram!'”
#19
بخاید ز من چنگ دیو سپید
✦
بسی جادوان را کنم ناامید
“'The White Demon gnawed his claws in despair because of me; I have brought hopeless ruin to many sorcerers!'”
#20
بزرگان که دیدند ببر مرا
✦
همان رخش غران هژبر مرا
“'The mighty lords who beheld my Babr-e Bayan coat, and my roaring, lion-like Rakhsh...'”
#21
چو کاموس جنگی چو خاقان چین
✦
سواران جنگی و مردان کین
“'Such as Kamus the warrior and the Khaqan of Chin, mighty horsemen and men of vengeance...'”
#22
که از پشت زینشان به خم کمند
✦
ربودم سر و پای کردم به بند
“'...Whom I snatched from their saddles with the loop of my lasso, binding their hands and feet in chains!'”
#23
نگهدار ایران و توران منم
✦
به هر جای پشت دلیران منم
“'I am the defender of both Iran and Turan; everywhere I am the shield and support of brave warriors!'”
#24
ازین خواهش من مشو بدگمان
✦
مدان خویشتن برتر از آسمان
“'Be not suspicious of my request, and do not place thyself higher than the heavens!'”
#25
من از بهر این فر و اورند تو
✦
بجویم همی رای و پیوند تو
“'It is for the sake of thy royal glory and majesty that I seek thy friendship and wise alliance.'”
#26
نخواهم که چون تو یکی شهریار
✦
تبه دارد از چنگ من روزگار
“'I desire not that fate should bring ruin upon a prince such as thee at my hands.'”
#27
که من سام یل را بخوانم دلیر
✦
کزو بیشه بگذاشتی نره شیر
“'For I call upon Sam the Hero, from whom even the male lion would flee the thicket!'”
#28
به گیتی منم زو کنون یادگار
✦
دگر شاهزاده یل اسفندیار
“'I am his living memorial in the world, and thou art the royal prince, brave Esfandiyar!'”
#29
بسی پهلوان جهان بوده‌ام
✦
سخنها ز هر گونه بشنوده‌ام
“'I have been the world's champion for ages, and have heard words of every kind.'”
#30
سپاسم ز یزدان که بگذشت سال
✦
بدیدم یکی شاه فرخ همال
“'My thanks to God that as my years advanced, I have lived to behold a glorious prince as my equal!'”
#31
که کین خواهد از مرد ناپاک دین
✦
جهانی برو بر کنند آفرین
“'Who seeks vengeance against the unrighteous, such that the world sings his praises!'”
#32
توی نامور پرهنر شهریار
✦
به جنگ اندرون افسر کارزار
“'Thou art the famous, highly accomplished prince, the crown of battle in combat!'”
#33
بخندید از رستم اسفندیار
✦
بدو گفت کای پور سام سوار
“Esfandiyar laughed at Rostam's words and said: 'O son of Sam the Knight!'”
#34
شدی تنگدل چون نیامد خرام
✦
نجستم همی زین سخن کام و نام
“'Thou hast grown aggrieved because I did not walk out to greet thee, yet I sought no vain prestige thereby.'”
#35
چنین گرم بد روز و راه دراز
✦
نکردم ترا رنجه تندی مساز
“'The day was scorching and the journey long; I willed not to weary thee, so harbor no wrath!'”
#36
همی گفتم از بامداد پگاه
✦
به پوزش بسازم سوی داد راه
“'I said to myself since early dawn that I would make amends and tread the path of justice.'”
#37
به دیدار دستان شوم شادمان
✦
به تو شاد دارم روان یک زمان
“'I rejoiced to behold Dastan's son, desiring to delight my soul in thy presence for a while.'”
#38
کنون تو بدین رنج برداشتی
✦
به دشت آمدی خانه بگذاشتی
“'Now thou hast taken this trouble upon thyself, leaving thy abode to come into the plain.'”
#39
به آرام بنشین و بردار جام
✦
ز تندی و تیزی مبر هیچ نام
“'Sit in tranquility and raise the wine-goblet, speaking no more of sharpness or wrath!'”
#40
به دست چپ خویش بر جای کرد
✦
ز رستم همی مجلس آرای کرد
“He assigned him a place on his left hand, adorning the assembly with Rostam's presence.”
#41
جهاندیده گفت این نه جای منست
✦
بجایی نشینم که رای منست
“The battle-wise veteran declared: 'This is no place for me! I shall sit where my own choice dictates.'”
#42
تهمتن بفرمود کز دست راست
✦
نشستی بیارای ازان کم سزاست
“Tahamtan commanded that a seat be prepared on the right hand, declaring anything less unworthy of his stature.”
#43
چنین گفت با شاهزاده به خشم
✦
که آیین من بین و بگشای چشم
“Full of anger, he addressed the prince: 'Behold my custom and open thine eyes!'”
#44
هنر بین و این نامور گوهرم
✦
که از تخمهٔ سام کنداورم
“'Look upon my deeds and my exalted lineage, for I am of the blood of Sam the champion!'”
#45
هنر باید از مرد و فر و نژاد
✦
کفی راد دارد دلی پر ز داد
“'A true man requires valor, divine glory, and noble birth—a generous hand and a heart full of justice!'”
#46
سزاوار من گر ترا نیست جای
✦
مرا هست پیروزی و هوش و رای
“'If thou hast no place worthy of me, I still possess my triumph, my intellect, and my resolve!'”
#47
ازان پس بفرمود فرزند شاه
✦
که کرسی زرین نهد پیش گاه
“Thereupon the king's son commanded a golden throne to be placed before the dais.”
#48
بدان تا گو نامور پهلوان
✦
نشیند بر شهریار جوان
“So that the illustrious, world-renowned champion might sit beside the young prince.”
#49
بیامد بران کرسی زر نشست
✦
پر از خشم بویا ترنجی بدست
“Rostam came and sat upon that throne of gold, full of wrath, holding a fragrant citron in his hand.”